Shravan Somvar/ Sawan Shivratri/ Maha Shivratri Vrat are sacred Vratas, people observe to please Lord Shiva. People perform sacred Vrat, Puja, Rudrabhishek, offer Belpatra, Prasad, Jal, and Panchamrit, dedicate this to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Mahashivratri is one of the most sacred Vrats, celebrated in the month of Phalgun or Falgun, which falls in February or March.
Maha Shivaratri 2026 date
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Important Puja and Vrat Timings 2026
Nishita Kaal Puja Time: 12:09 AM to 01:01 AM (February 16)
Duration: 51 minutes
Shivaratri Vrat Parana Time (Fast Breaking): 06:59 AM to 03:24 PM (February 16)
Ratri Prahar Puja Muhurat/ Timings
First Prahar: 06:11 PM – 09:23 PM
Second Prahar: 09:23 PM – 12:35 AM (Feb 16)
Third Prahar: 12:35 AM – 03:47 AM (Feb 16)
Fourth Prahar: 03:47 AM – 06:59 AM (Feb 16)
Chaturdashi Tithi
Phalgun Chaturdashi begins at 05:04 PM on February 15, 2026, and ends on 05:34 PM on February 16, 2026.
Significance of Maha Shivaratri
Falgun Maas Shivaratri is one of the most auspicious Tithis (dates) for the devotees to worship Lord Shiva and perform Puja rituals in the month of Falgun.
Maha Shivratri is believed to be the day of the marriage of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati.
Maha Shivaratri marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti, Shiva – Parvati Vivah, symbolizing cosmic balance.
It is believed that on this sacred night, Lord Shiva came in the form of the Shiva Linga, making Nishita Kaal the most powerful time for worshipping.
According to the South Indian Calendar, Shivaratri falling on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of the Magh month is celebrated as Maha Shivratri. But according to North Indian Calendar, Shivaratri that falls in the Phalguna month is celebrated as Maha Shivratri.
Both North and South India celebrate Maha Shivratri or Maha shivratri, on the same day, though the months are different.
Shravan Somvar 2026
Shravan Somvar refers to the Mondays that fall in the Hindu month of Sawan or Shravan. This month usually falls between July and August in the Gregorian Calendar.
This auspicious month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. People observe rituals and fasting on Mondays to seek the blessings of lord Shiva.
Shravan Somvar Vrat in Shravan
States, where people follow the Purnimanta Calendar for Shravan Somvar Vrat, are as follows:
Punjab, Himachal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and all of North India observe one of the most auspicious fasts, Shravan Somvar.
People follow the Purnimanta calendar in the northern states. A new month begins in these regions after Purnima, i.e. the full moon, and ends on the next Purnima or Puranmasi, from Krishna Paksha.
The Shravan month starts in 2026 on July 30, Thursday in other states, which follow the Amavasyant calendar.
States where people follow the Amavasyant Calendar for Shravan Somvar Vrat are as follows:
In Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, people follow the Amavasyanta calendar. A new month starts in these southern and western states after fifteen days, i.e. from Shukla Paksha.
Shravan begins on August 13, 2026. The first Shravan Somvar Vrat starts on September 11th, 2026.
Starting date of the Shravan month in Nepal
In Nepal, the Shravan month starts on July 16th, Wednesday, and the first Shravan Somvar Vrat begins on July 16, 2026, Thursday.
Sawan Somvar Vrat dates are: July 20, July 27, August 03, August 10, 2026.
Phalgun/ Mahashivratri Vrat/ date, Sunday, 15th February, 2026, Puja Muhurat
Maha Shivratri Vrat will be on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Devotees offer Prasad to Lord Shiva, chant Mantra, and perform Arti to get blessings from Lord Shiva on the sacred Falgun Mahashivratri.
They observe fast (Vrata), visit a temple, small or big, and perform Puja, holy Jalabhishek or Rudrabhishek.
One should pray and seek blessings to ward off the effects of Pitra Dosha, such as prolonged illness, and achieve health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity.
Shravan Somvar Vrat in Shravan Maas
Sawan or Shravan begins on July 30, Thursday, 2026. According to the Hindu Panchanga, all Mondays or Somvar of Shravan are very auspicious. This year, there are four Mondays in Shravan.
Mangala Gauri Vrat, dates in Shravan Maas 2026
Women observe Mangala Gauri Vrat on Tuesdays of Shravan in India and Nepal for the well-being of their husbands.
All Tuesdays or Mangalvar of Shravan Month or Sawan Maas are also very significant.
People observe Mangala Gauri Vrat on Tuesdays. The dates are August 04, August 11, August 18, and August 25, 2026.
Shravan Somvar Vrat (Purnimanta calendar) in 2026
Mondays of Shravan Maas are dedicated to Shiva for worship. Tuesdays of the Shravan month are dedicated to Goddess Parvati for Puja (prayers).
Sawan Maas or Shravan Maas, which starts on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and ends on Friday, August 28, 2026 is based on the Purnimanta calendar.
Shravan Somvar Vrat (Purnimanta Calendar) dates in 2026
First Shravan Somvar Vrat: 03 August, 2026
Second Shravan Somvar Vrat: 10 August, 2026.
Third Shravan Somvar Vrat: 17 August, 2026.
Fourth Shravan Somvar Vrat: 24 August, 2026.
Purnimant Shravan ends on Friday, 28 August 2026, which is an important event, Raksha Bandhan.
Shravan Somvar Vrat (Amavasyanta calendar) dates in 2026
Shravan begins on August 13, 2026, Thursday.
First Shravan Somvar Vrat: August 17, 2026.
Second Shravan Somvar Vrat: 24 August, 2026.
Third Shravan Somvar Vrat: 31 August 2026.
Fourth Shravan Somvar Vrat: 07 September 2026.
Shravan ends on 11 September, Friday, 2026 (Amavasyant Calendar)
Many significant and auspicious Vrata/ Vrat and festivals happen in the holy month of Sawan Maas, which are as follows:
Raksha Bandhan, Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, Mangala Gauri Vrat, Sawan Shivaratri Vrat, and Hariyali Amavasya.
Kanwar Yatra, and Sawan Shivaratri Vrat date 2026
Sawan is truly one of the holiest month for Shiva devotees.
Every year, millions of Kanwariyas walk miles to bring Gangajal and offer it (Kanwar Jal) to Bholenath (Shiv Shankar), chant loudly Har Har Mahadev with pure devotion.
In 2026 , devotees will offer Kanwar water to lord Shiva on Sawan Shivratri, which is falling on 23rd July. Apart from Shivratri, Kanwar water devotees can also offer Kanwar water on Sawan Monday and Pradosh Vrat day.
Sawan Shivaratri Vrat which will be on August 11, Wednesday (Budhvar). This year’s Sawan Shivaratri is very significant for Snan-daan.
Hariyali Amavasya date 2026
This Hariyali Amavasya which falls on Wednesday, 12 August, 2026, is an important Tithi for Snan-daan, and one can get free from Pitra Dosha by performing remedial rituals.
Hariyali Teej date 2026
Hariyali Teej falls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, this year.
The other names of Hariyali Teej is Sawan Teej, as this Teej falls in Sawan. People of Nepal also observe it with great enthusiasm besides the people in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
This is a very auspicious day for keeping fast for the safety and well-being of the family.
A fast, festival of enjoyment for women
Unmarried women who want to marry good husbands also fast.
Women enjoy this day by wearing a green sari and ornaments, applying henna on palms and hands, and getting up in full makeup to look beautiful. They sing folk songs on swings.
Nag Panchami date 2026
Nag Panchami is on Monday, August 17, 2026, which is Shukla Paksha Panchami of Shravan.
Raksha Bandhan date 2026/ Muhurat
Raksha Bandhan/ Rakhi festival is observed by brothers and sisters on the last day of Shravan, or Shravan Purnima.
Shravan Purnima, which is not under the inauspicious Bhadra effect on Saturday morning. As there is no presence of Bhadra Tithi, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on this day.
Purnima will be present at the time of sunrise. This festival will be celebrated on Friday, 28th August, 2026.
Performing Mahashivratri Vrat and Puja rituals
In India, people observe Mahashivratri Vrat and perform Puja rituals during the month of Falgun, with great devotion in different parts of India and other parts of the world.
This year’s Shivratri Vrat begins in the auspicious Uttara Shadha and Shravana Nakshatra, which brings blessings from Lord Shiva and a victory over enemies.
Vaishnav devotees celebrate Falgun Maha Shivratri on which Tithi?
In North India, Vaishnav devotees celebrate Falgun Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi as Falgun Maha Shivaratri.
Devotees who cannot observe Vrat for a full day and night have their Satvik meal (vegetarian, without food grains) only once in the evening after performing Puja and Arati.
Shivratri puja can be one time or four times during the night.
For this, the whole night can be divided into four, and they get Prahara to perform Shiva Puja four times.
How to perform Shivratri Puja to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Observe fast and perform Puja on Falgun Maha Shivratri/ Shravan Shivratri and all four/ five Mondays in Sawan Maas.
List of articles for Shivratri Puja and Vrat
The articles one should arrange are: Dhatura, Belpatra (Bella-Patra), Bel-fruit Akshat (unbroken rice) flowers, fruits (plums and other seasonal fruits).
The other items are Chandan, Dhupa-deep, Camphor for Aarti, Jal, and a spoon, a special grass (Kusha) for sprinkling holy water or Jal. Also take some sweets for the offering.
Also, arrange Jala, mixed with Gangajal (Holy water), unboiled milk added to water (Jal), sugarcane juice, and Panchamruta made with Ghee, Sugar, milk, curd and little honey.
Offer this Panchamrit to Lord Shiva and Parvati, and offer Jal to Lord Ganesha and Nandi from the Jal-patra.
During Vrat, people eat foxnut (Makhana), Singhara, Kutu flour, curds, fruits, dry fruits, and dishes made from milk, and they exceptionaly use Sendha salt for the preparation of Falahar.
Chant Mantra as follows:
Om Namah Shivay 108 times during Shivratri Puja.
Chant Shiv Rudrabhishek Stotram/ Stuti:
Chanting Rudrabhishek Stuti to please Lord Shiva is helpful for those suffering from Pitra Dosha. Shivratri Puja can be performed during the day or at night.
Rudrabhishek Stotram is as follows:
Shri Shiv Rudrasṭakam
1) Namami shamishan nirvan rupam vibhum vyapakam Brahma veda swaroopam, nijam nirgunam nirvikalpam niriham chidakashmakash vasam bhajeham ||1||
2) Nirakar omkar mulam turiyam gira gyan gotitamisham girisham,karalam mahakal kalam kripalam gunagar sansar param natoaham ||2||
3) Tusharadri sankash gauram gabhiram, mano bhuta koti prabha shri shriram sphuranmauli kallolini charu ganga lasad bhal balendu kanthe bhujanga ||3||
4) Chalat kundalam bhru sunetram vishalam prasannananam nilkantham, dayalam mrigadhish charmambarm munḍa malam priyam Shankaram Sarvanatham bhajami ||4||
5) Prachandam prakrishtam pragalbham paresham, akhandam ajam bhanukotiprakasham trayaha shoola nirmulanam shulapanim bhajeham bhavanipatim bhavagamyam ||5||
6) Kaalatita kalyan kalpantakari sada sajjananandadata purari, chidananda sandoha mohapahari prasida prasida prabho manmathari ||6||
7) Na yavat Umanath padaravindam bhajantiha loke pare va naranaam na tavat, sukham shanti santap nasham prasid prabho sarvabhootadhivasam ||7||
8) Na janami yogam japam naiva pujam natoaham sada sarvada Shambhuha tubhyam, jara janma duhkhaugh tatapyamanam prabho pahi apannamameesha Shambho || 8 ||
Jalabhishek
For Jal-Abhishek or offering holy water to Lord Shiva, the water (Jal) should be added to a small amount of uncooked milk.
It should be put in the brass vessel (Jal-Patra) for Jal-Abhishek or offering holy water to Lord Shiva.
Note: Copper vessels should never be used as Jal-Patra for this Jal (milk and water), as it is considered contaminated.
The date for Jalabhishek or Rudrabhishek on Falgun Maha Shivratri
For Jalabhishek or Rudrabhishek, the auspicious time begins at night on Monday, Falgun Maas, and Maha Shivaratri on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Devotees and Kanwariya, who carry Jal in Kanwar or holy pots for offering Jal to God Shiva, come from far-off places on their feet.
Holy temples of Lord Shiva
They visit the holy temples of Kashi, Allahabad, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ujjain, and also the Char-dham.
Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Baba Vaidyanath temple in Devghar, and Babul Nath Mandir in South Mumbai are famous temples of Lord Shiva in India.
Devotees also visit the temples of other cities of the world.
Important Vrat and Puja in Sawan Maas 2026
Hindus dedicate the holy Sawan Shivratri or Shravan Shivratri to Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri (Maa Parvati). As this Shivaratri falls during Shravan Maas (month), its other name is Sawan Shivratri.
Shravan Pradosh Vrat date
Som Pradosh Vrat becomes important for fasting (Vrat) and performing Puja rituals to get blessings from Lord Shiva.
Sawan Shanivar/ Shravan Shanivar date
The last Sawan Shanivar day is important in Sawan Maas.
Generally, in the northern and eastern regions where people follow the Purnimanta Lunar Calendar, they also observe Sawan Shanivar Vrat.
Note: Devotees should do both Shiva Puja and Parana (finish the fast) within the Chaturdashi Tithi.
Shravan Shivratri Vrat
Sawan or Shravan, the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, is one the most significant and auspicious month for the devotion of Lord Shiva.
This day (Tithi) is the day of the union of two great forces in the universe, i.e. Lord Shiva and Shakti (Goddess Parvati).
Devotees come from different places of the world, in large numbers and travel on their feet.
How do the devotees celebrate Shravan Somvar Vrat and Puja?
They take Kanwar filled with holy water (Jal) on their shoulders, offer this Jal to Shivling and Maa Parvati.
Read also PITRA DOSHA – Causes, Problems, and Remedies
On Sawan Shivratri, People visit famous temples and perform Puja, holy Jalabhishek, or Rudrabhishek with great devotion.
They offer Prasad to Lord Shiva, chant Mantra, and perform Arti on all the Mondays of Sawan.
For those who cannot visit the Shiva temple or perform Puja rituals for Shravan-Somvar, may visit the Shiva temple to perform Puja on any day during the holy month of Shravan.
Significance of observing the fast and Puja rituals
Devotees believe that their long-awaited desires will be fulfilled by observing Vrat and worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Observing fast on all the Mondays of Shravan, and performing Jalabhishek, Rudrabhishek, and Puja rituals bring peace, prosperity, marital bliss, and good health to the devotees.
Female devotees, who are mainly unmarried girls waiting to get married, also observe fast (Vrat) for the consecutive sixteen Mondays or Solah Somvar Vrat.
Solah Somvar Vrat
Solah Somvar Vrat starts on the first Monday of Sawan. Those who observe Solah Somvar Vrat may get married soon with following these remedial measures.
Some devotees have their Satvik meal (vegetarian) only once in the evening after performing Puja and Aarti.
Also read: Manglik Dosha or Yoga
The significance of Solah Somvar Vrat for sixteen Mondays
If you are facing denial of marriage, observe the fast for sixteen consecutive Mondays/ Somvar Vrata, starting from Shravan.
Shravan Somvar Vrat is also the holy ‘Solah Somvar Vrat’.
How to perform Solah Somvar Vrat for the sixteen Mondays?
To perform Puja rituals, offer sacred water on the Shivling in a Shiva temple and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Perform the Puja of Lord Ganesha and Nandi for their blessings.
Observe fast on the first Shravan Somvar, during the holy Shravan Maas, and continue for sixteen Mondays. Also, perform all the Puja rituals to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Offer sacred water on the Shivling in a Shiva temple and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Ashadha Shivratri
In other states, which follow the Amavasyanta calendar, Shravan comes late by a fortnight. As this Shivratri comes in the Ashadha Maas, it is known as Ashadha Shivaratri.
The states that celebrate Ashadha Shivratri are Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Ashadh Shivratri Vrat is on Krishna Chaturdashi.
